#AskAwayFriday: Playing With Light and How I Met My Husband

One of the best things that came out of my time with SITS, was meeting many amazing and interesting bloggers. I came by Tamara’s blog, Tamara Like Camera, and immediately fell hard for her writing, and stunning photography (hello, professional photographer!). I’ve watched as she grew her blog phenomenally over the past year, and it’s no wonder – she’s beautiful, friendly, hilarious and I want to eat her kids up (don’t worry, Tamara, I won’t, I just want to hug them both for a very long time). She’s one of my favorites so I love swapping questions with her.

This fun weekly link up is hosted by Penny of The Real Housewife Of Caroline Country and Amber from Bold Fab Mom. Typically for Ask Away Friday, bloggers pair up, swap 10 questions,answer them on their blogs, and link up their posts with Penny and Amber. It’s such a great way to get to know someone better.

Here are Tamara’s questions for me.

1. I know you’re on a photography journey (yay!). What is your biggest challenge with photography right now?

Getting out of the house and photographing things and people outdoors. Many of my pictures are taken in my apartment simply because I don’t go out much. Or if I do, I don’t bring the camera (grocery shop and snap away? Hmmm). As a direct consequence, finding the right light is what I’m working on right now – natural light, artificial light, trying taking pictures at all times of the day, playing around with backlight, the works. In a way, it’s a good challenge to have. It’s forcing me to be creative. Deciding to do a 52-week photography project is one of the best things that has happened to me this year.

2. What is something you intended to do today (at the time you’re writing this) but didn’t. Why?

I’m writing this well in advance (so unusual for me) and it’s a Sunday. I have to get a gift for a friend, and I’m running out of time! I did go out with the intention of buying something, but couldn’t find something suitable. Instead, I bought stuff for the children, as you do.

3. How did you meet your husband? Does he read your blog?

I wrote about how we met on a friend’s blog. Long story short, I met him when I was dating his friend. He was also seeing someone else. We were just friends for the first 6 months. After I broke up with his friend (it was a very short 3 month thing), we started hanging out together as friends (he was also single), and well, here we are, 10 years and two kids later. He does not read my blog unless I tell him to, and that’s okay with me. However, he is very supportive of all I do here, and listens to my stories about my blog, and the people I’ve met.

When it was just us, married for 4 months

4. What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “fun”?

Girl’s night out! I haven’t had one of those in years. Sigh.

5. Say a friend came to you for comfort with a broken heart. What’s your best comfort food recipe that you’d make for her?

I am an anti-hoarder, so no, I don’t collect anything. Though I did write about my shoes that one time…. ahem.

10. Name something you’ve said “yes” to in the last year, and instantly felt panicked and overwhelmed, but..ambitious about it?

Joining BonBon Break! The panic lasted for about a day, and passed because I realized what an amazing opportunity it is. I do have a few days when I feel somewhat overwhelmed, but talking to Val (Curtis, BonBon Break founder) always gets me back to a good place. I have great hopes for the site, and I’m truly excited about all the possibilities.

Now, head on over to Tamara’s blog and read her answers to my questions.

If you want to join #AskAwayFriday and need someone to swap questions with, let me know!

Comment on any two posts on my blog in January, and stand a chance to win one 30-day 150×150 sidebar ad! Find out more here.

Alison Lee is a former PR and marketing professional turned work-at-home mother. After a 10-year career in various PR agencies, and of the world’s biggest sports brands, Alison traded in product launches and world travel, for sippy cups, diapers, and breastfeeding. Alison's writing has been featured on Mamalode, On Parenting at The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, Everyday Family, Scary Mommy, and DrGreene.com. She is one of 35 essayists in the anthology, My Other Ex: Women’s True Stories of Leaving and Losing Friends. In 2012, she founded Little Love Media, a social media consultancy specializing in blog book tours, and because she doesn’t sleep, is an editor at BonBon Break, an online magazine. Alison lives in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with her husband and four children (two boys and boy/ girl twins).

Great answers! I love that you started a photography challenge. I was nervous about playing a long at first, but I think I am going to try to join in each week. I’m going to join the flikr group, but first I have to remember my yahoo password!NJ recently wrote…Ask Away Friday With My Facebook Friends

I love that you partnered with Tamara…of course she is only of my favs too! I think it is awesome that you are doing this photography challenge and one of these days I promise I am going to participate. I do love my camera but I have some issues with broken lens right now that I need to deal with and I am dreading it because of the cost. I am so protective of my camera equipment but things happen, always at the worst of times. I was smiling when you mentioned your shoes, because I have a thing for shoes too. Mostly for boots. And flip flops. And sadly, with the boots I always wear the same ones anyway. I’m a lot better about spreading the love around with my flip flops in the summer!Michelle recently wrote…Mixing and Matching for Valentine’s Day

You and Tamara are the perfect pairing for Ask Away Friday! And you and your hubby are the perfect match. What an awesome picture! Your boys are a good mix of both of you. I can’t wait for your trip to the U.S. some day. Northeast Tennessee is probably not on your destination list, but I’ll come find you wherever you land!Nicole recently wrote…Reflections: Definitions, Stories and Pictures

Alison, this is the second post today I read about women meeting husbands through/after recent breakups. It’s that “timing is everything/meant to be” thing. And you are just a gorgeous couple!I also LOVE your photographs. They too are gorgeous. Great questions Tamara! I love #10 in particular!Ilene recently wrote…Signs

You had me at salted caramel ice cream, yum! It’s funny because my bf is my “editor” and he’s a harsh critic, which is why I like it. I’m also highly impatient with idiot drivers – there’s too many of them and the post office always drives me bonkers (I used to work there too!) 🙂 Have fun in France and definitely looking forward to the photographs hehe Have a great one ladies! -IvaAwesomelyOZ recently wrote…Words to Live By

Wow, its so exciting you’re doing all that great travel! I can’t wait to travel in the upcoming summer. Safe travels and I hope you have fun!Tenns recently wrote…#DisneySide @Home Celebration Box Unveil

Great answers (and questions fro Tamara)! I really want to step up a bit on my photography skills. I used to LOVE taking pictures (back in the 110 and 35mm film days… whew!) then life happened. I even thought I would major in photography. Now we have DSL and I feel so out of my league. Most of my photos are taken with my trusty iPhone but my next wish list item is definitely a true photography camera…

Great to see you and Tamara together and swapping questions!
I think that there should be some research into the powers of salted caramel. That stuff is magic. 🙂
How awesome would a North American trip be? And I love that you mentioned a hop over to Canada! 🙂Kim recently wrote…What a Wonderful World

slow service is my pet peeve too. which is not great living in a small country town. LIFE is slow here. No one is rude or necessarily inefficient; it’s just a much slower pace than the city.Rorybore recently wrote…4 Fill in Fun: Adding My Voice

Well, if I ever have a broken heart, I’m hopping a plane to Malaysia for some of that salted caramel ice cream! 🙂 I’m glad you joined BonBon Break. You are a wonderful blogger and I’m sure you will make great things happen for that site.Lisa recently wrote…FTSF and AAF – Round 2

Love the shoes! I haven’t worn heels in the longest time 🙁 Also, I have to remember to bring out my camera outside of the house more often and be more spontaneous about snapping photos. I do have to say that your #ThroughTheLensThursday photography project has really inspired me to focus on practicing using my dslr more often. Thank you!Gracielle recently wrote…{Through the Lens Thursday} Reflection

I adore Tamara! She is a gentle soul with such a talent. And you are such a firecracker, this was a match made in heaven! I love these ask away friday’s, getting to know YOU a little better is so much fun. You are the kind of girl I could tell a secret to.Rebeccafaith recently wrote…Go Dylan Go!

Love getting to know you better, Alison! The photo challenge is the one that sticks with me – I am not one to jump at challenges, but I’m always inspired by those who do. The picture of you and your husband is a really great one – you are both gorgeous!Andrea recently wrote…As Charged

Yay! Two of my faves doing #AAF together. Loved all the answers, and can I tell you that I’m suffering from shoe envy right now? I’m with you on the health goals too. I’m usually good on water, but I’ve not been to yoga in almost a year. *hangs head in shame*Alison Hector recently wrote…For the love of the English language

I don’t remember exactly when or how I met Tamara but I fell in love too! I just bought a big girl camera (at least for me) and am starting to experiment and learn how to use it.Robbie K ( recently wrote…Never Ready

I absolutely love the shoes! LOL! I have a problem when it comes to shoes! I would say that salted caramel ice cream would definitely be an amazing comfort food! 🙂 The kids laugh at me when I encounter idiot drivers! LOL! Great answers and questions! Have a great week, Alison!Stacey Gannett recently wrote…#2014BloggerChallenge – Once Upon A Time

I'm Alison. Writer, a mother of four (two boys and boy/ girl twins), social media enthusiast and book lover. A believer in the power of chocolate and hugs. Chugging coffee as I type. Want to know more?